EIN Presswire: Employment Press Releases

CAL/OSHA: American Reclamation Guilty of 36 Safety Violations

Thu, 24 May 2012 23:33:17 +0000

CAL/OSHA: American Reclamation Guilty of 36 Safety Violations

PR Newswire

Citations Follow 13 Unfair Labor Practice Charges by NLRB Against Recycling Company

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The California Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) cited Los Angeles-based recycling company American Reclamation, Inc. this week for 36 safety violations that put the more than 60 sorters, drivers, helpers and mechanics at risk while on the job.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100127/IBTLOGO)

Cal/OSHA's citations come closely on the heels of a complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that charged American Reclamation with 13 unfair labor practices (ULPs) in connection with the workers' campaign to join Teamsters Local 396 in Covina, Calif. The complaint, filed on April 30, included three ULPs for wrongful termination of workers by the company.

The 36 citations issued against the company by Cal/OSHA totaled $38,895 in penalties. Within the next week, the NLRB will be filing for immediate reinstatement of the three workers that it determined American Reclamation wrongfully terminated.

"We, as an organization, are fully committed to fighting to make green jobs, like those at American Reclamation, good jobs with strong wages and benefits," said Ron Herrera, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 396 and International Trustee. "With the Teamsters supporting them, these 60 workers will not be exploited by American Reclamation."

The organizing campaign at American Reclamation is part of the Don't Waste L.A. effort, a coalition of community, environmental, faith and labor organizations working for clean air, green jobs and recycling for all Angelenos through region-wide standards and accountability in our commercial and multifamily waste and recycling system.

Founded in 1903, the Teamsters Union represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @TeamsterPower.

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters

Ontraport Named a Top Finalist of CareerBuilder's First Annual "Big Strides in Small Business Award"

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:29:56 +0000

Ontraport Named a Top Finalist of CareerBuilder's First Annual "Big Strides in Small Business Award"

PR Newswire

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ontraport is pleased to announce it was named a top finalist of CareerBuilder's first annual "Big Strides in Small Business Award." The award recognizes fast-growing small businesses that have been exemplary in reskilling workers for new job opportunities and making a positive impact on their communities. The contest was open to small businesses with 250 or fewer employees who hired a minimum of 10 employees in 2011 and are adding staff in 2012. More than 100 companies across the U.S. entered the competition.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/LA13810LOGO)

Since its founding in 2006, Ontraport grew from three partners to a full-time staff of 30. Ontraport is an all-in-one integrated platform used by entrepreneurs to start, systematize and scale their businesses. In the past year, the company doubled its staff and expects to triple or quadruple its growth in the coming year. Ontraport offers a multi-faceted apprenticeship program where employees shadow department leaders and learn new disciplines across the company.

Ontraport's CEO provides pro-bono coaching to local small business owners to help them succeed. The company also supports the community through its involvement with an organization that helps neglected children find safe and permanent homes.

Daily catered lunches, daily recesses, a state-of-the-art break room with a fully-stocked snack wall and bi-yearly camping and ski trips round out a unique employee experience.

About Ontraport

Ontraport is fast becoming the place where entrepreneurs go to start, systematize and scale their businesses. This all-in-one integrated platform delivers essential business features including; a powerful CRM system, one-click membership sites and WordPress hosting, outstanding email delivery, payment processing, direct-mail printing, affiliate management, and their innovative business automation suite. Arriving in the marketplace in 2008, Ontraport's talented engineers have developed nimble processes for releasing cutting edge customer driven features at lightning speed. Coupled with humorous educational materials, affordable monthly subscription rates and a commitment to world class customer support, it's no surprise that Ontraport clients are "Raving Fans."

About CareerBuilder®

CareerBuilder is the global leader in human capital solutions, helping companies target and attract their most important asset - their people. Its online career site, CareerBuilder.com®, is the largest in the United States with more than 24 million unique visitors, 1 million jobs and 45 million resumes. CareerBuilder works with the world's top employers, providing resources for everything from employment branding and data analysis to recruitment support. More than 10,000 websites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL, feature CareerBuilder's proprietary job search technology on their career sites. Owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE:GCI), Tribune Company and The McClatchy Company (NYSE:MNI), CareerBuilder and its subsidiaries operate in the United States, Europe, South America, Canada and Asia. For more information, visit www.careerbuilder.com.

SOURCE Ontraport

Encore Capital Group Recognized as "San Diego's Healthiest Company" for 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:21:38 +0000

Encore Capital Group Recognized as "San Diego's Healthiest Company" for 2012

PR Newswire

SAN DIEGO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Encore Capital Group has been named – for the second year in a row – "San Diego's Healthiest Company" in the Large Company category. The 2012 recognition from the San Diego Business Journal was announced May 16th at the organization's annual awards ceremony. "This is a significant accomplishment for Encore and our employees," said Encore CEO Brandon Black. "We have successfully built on the achievements of 2011, and I am proud that our leadership and employees have continued to embrace our commitment to active, healthy lifestyles and healthy work-life decisions."

Encore has been a long-time leader in health and wellness programs. The company introduced consumer-directed health plans for its employees in 2005 and actively engages employees in the company's health programs and health care-related spending. Encore began offering no-cost preventive care and prescriptions to employees and their families long before law required it. In addition, the company provides incentives to employees to actively manage their personal and families' health. These include gym membership reimbursements, biometric health screenings, walking programs, a health-related lecture series, and weight-loss programs.

In 2009, Encore transitioned to 100% consumer-directed health plans for its employees, to ensure that employees and their families understand how their health care expenditures are used. The company's health and wellness programs have an important impact on reducing health care-related costs to the company and its employees.

About Encore Capital Group, Inc.

Encore Capital Group is a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions for consumers and property owners across a broad range of assets. The company purchases portfolios of consumer receivables from major banks, credit unions, and utility providers, and partners with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery. Through its subsidiary, Propel Financial Services, the company assists property owners who are delinquent on their property taxes by structuring affordable monthly payment plans. Encore's success and future growth are driven by its sophisticated and widespread use of analytics, its broad investments in data and behavioral science, the significant cost advantages provided by its highly-efficient operating model and proven investment strategy, and the company's demonstrated commitment to conducting business ethically and in ways that support its consumers' financial recovery.

Headquartered in San Diego, Encore is a publicly traded NASDAQ Global Select company (ticker symbol: ECPG) and a component stock of the Russell 2000, the S&P SmallCap 600, and the Wilshire 4500. More information about the company can be found at www.encorecapital.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

George Durham, Encore Capital Group
george.durham@encorecapital.com
(858) 309-9491

Katie Lilley, Hillenby, for Encore Capital Group
katielilley@hillenby.com
(703) 889-8504, ext. 2

SOURCE Encore Capital Group, Inc.

FDRA to Co-host Footwear Investment Forum in Nicaragua

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:10:00 +0000

Nicaragua will be showcasing why it has become an attractive and increasingly competitive footwear production platform during its upcoming investment forum titled Nicaragua, The Right Step!

WASHINGTON, DC, May 24, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Nicaragua will be showcasing why it has become an attractive and increasingly competitive footwear production platform during its upcoming investment forum titled "Nicaragua, The Right Step!". The event, which is hosted by PRONicaragua, the official investment promotion agency of Nicaragua, in coordination with the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA), will be held on June 13th and 14th in Managua's prestigious Barcelo Hotel.

Footwear manufacturers, international footwear brands, industry associations, retailers and industry consultants are expected to attend the event, representing countries such as the U.S., Dominican Republic, Brazil, Venezuela, Central America and Japan.

Renowned international speakers include Matt Priest, President of FDRA; Mike Jeppesen, President of Global Operations Group; David Spooner, Principal Negotiator for DR-CAFTA in his role as Textile & Apparel Negotiator and Transition Coordinator in the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR); Mike Todaro, Managing Director of American Apparel Producers' Network (AAPN); Clay Jenkins, Senior Vice-President of Global Sourcing, Compliance & New Business Development of Brown Shoe Company; and Leandro Winter, Director of Tecshoes Latinoamerica S.A.

The program will feature an overview of the international footwear market, industry trends, commercial footwear rules and market access, as well as Nicaragua's main advantages for investments in this industry, which include a favorable business climate, competitive cost structure, preferential access to international markets, pro-business legal framework and its high levels of personal safety.

The program also includes site visits to international footwear manufacturing companies operating successfully in Nicaragua, during which participants will be able to witness their world-class facilities and learn about their experience investing in the country.

The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), in its recently published 2012 Annual Footwear Sourcing Forecast, showcased Nicaragua as a "rising star" with great potential to increase its footwear exports to the U.S. In this forecast the U.S. is advised to restructure its sourcing strategies and options due to China's increasing prices, shortages in labor and increased compliance costs, and to "keep an eye on Cambodia, Bangladesh and Nicaragua".

For more information on this up coming footwear investment forum, visit www.pronicaragua.org/footwearforum/

PRONicaragua is the Nicaraguan Investment Promotion Agency, established in 2002. It is a non-profit, public-private institution whose mission is to generate economic growth and job creation in Nicaragua by attracting high-quality foreign direct investment. The agency provides complimentary support services to qualified investors seeking investment opportunities in our country. For further information, please contact us at (505) 2270-6400 or http://pronicaragua.org.

---

Press release service and press release distribution provided by http://www.24-7pressrelease.com

Meridian Health Plan Career Fair to Hire 250 New Ohio Employees

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:52:54 +0000

Meridian Health Plan Career Fair to Hire 250 New Ohio Employees

PR Newswire

DETROIT, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Meridian Health Plan (MHP) will hold a Career Fair on Wednesday, June 13 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Embassy Suites, 5100 Upper Metro Place in Dublin, Ohio to help fill 250 job openings in the Columbus area.

Pre-registration for the Career Fair is required. Candidates can register online by sending their resume to resume.oh@mhplan.com. MHP will only schedule interviews with qualified candidates who submit their resume in advance. Interviews will be held for Columbus-area positions during the Career Fair in order to staff all positions by October 2012.

Specific job descriptions can be found at www.mhplan.com. Open positions range from clinical to non-clinical, management to non-management and technical. More positions across the state will be available in the future.

Meridian Health Plan is a physician-owned, physician-operated health plan with extensive experience in its operations across the Midwest Medicaid market. MHP has been selected by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) to administer services to Medicaid enrollees beginning in 2013. For more information, visit www.mhplan.com.

SOURCE Meridian Health Plan

Michigan JBS Workers Approve First Union Contract

Thu, 24 May 2012 21:30:23 +0000

Michigan JBS Workers Approve First Union Contract

PR Newswire

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last night, workers at the JBS slaughterhouse and production facility, located just south of the city of Plainwell, ratified their first union contract ending the workers' nine-month campaign for union representation by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 951.

In October 2011, JBS workers elected union representation in an effort to improve their working conditions, authorizing UFCW 951 to represent them in contract negotiations with their employer.

"From the first meeting with JBS workers to discuss unionizing, through last night's contract ratification vote, there has been tremendous support for the union," Chad Pemberton, an organizer for UFCW Statewide Community Development, said. "JBS workers never wavered in their belief that the union is their best option to improve their working conditions and bring a sense of fairness to the workplace."

The union's bargaining committee was able to address many of the workers' primary concerns in the first contract, leading to JBS workers' overwhelming vote to accept the contract, according to John Cakmakci, UFCW 951's Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Union Negotiator for the talks.

"In addition to a grievance procedure to ensure fairness, the workers were pleased to see the wage increases, reduction in their co-pay for health benefits, and additional paid time off," he said. "Beyond that, JBS workers are happy that they can now go to work with peace of mind and security knowing that all the benefits and protections in their union contract are guaranteed. These were very positive negotiations, and we look forward to continuing to build a productive working relationship with JBS."

The new four year agreement covers approximately 1,000 workers at the West Michigan JBS plant, who join with 28,000 other JBS workers and 250,000 meatpacking and poultry workers across the country who are covered by a UFCW union contract.

UFCW Statewide Community Development is a joint project of Grand Rapids-based UFCW Locals 951 and Madison Heights-based UFCW 876 devoted to community activism, including union organizing. Approximately 46,000 workers belong to the UFCW in Michigan, working for a variety of retailers including Meijer, Kroger, and Rite Aid, along with numerous other companies in a variety of industries including food processing, automotive supply, and health care.

SOURCE UFCW 951

Washington State Educators Named Success at the Core Fellows

Thu, 24 May 2012 19:53:10 +0000

Washington State Educators Named Success at the Core Fellows

Recipients to Foster Effective Use of Professional Development Community

PR Newswire

SEATTLE, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Success at the Core, a community of educators focused on improving student achievement through professional development for teachers and leadership teams, has selected ten Washington state educators as its Success at the Core Fellows. These Fellows will guide other educators in deepening adoption of best practices in school leadership and student instruction through use of the Success at the Core resources.

The Fellows are:

Beth Ashley, Education Consultant, Mt. Vernon
Ailene Baxter, Junior High Principal, Puyallup School District
Andrea Brixey, High School Teacher, Cascade School District
Heather Byington, Elementary Teacher, Shelton School District
Obadiah Dunham, Junior High Principal, Northshore School District
Corrie Freiwaldt, Instructional Coach, Renton School District
Merrilou Harrison, Education Consultant, Yakima
Deb Gribskov, Instructional Coach, Kelso School District
Tyler Rice, High School Teacher, Mt. Adams School District
Jean Sheckler, Instructional Coach, Tacoma Public Schools

Applications for the Fellows Program were open to educators in Washington state, who were evaluated on several criteria, including: commitment to learning and classroom improvement; experience with using Success at the Core to deepen instructional focus and develop school leadership; and understanding of social media tools to communicate and build communities. The Success at the Core Fellows Program runs through December 2013.

Success at the Core launched a set of free, field-tested professional development modules in 2010 designed to help leadership teams and teachers elevate classroom instruction and improve student outcomes. Success at the Core began when Paul G. Allen, philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, asked his production company, Vulcan Productions, how media could be used to make a difference in education. To answer Allen's question, Vulcan Productions collaborated with the Education Development Center, a non-profit with a track record in fostering school improvement through innovative materials and professional development, to develop Success at the Core. Currently, the Success at the Core community includes more than 8,700 educators, over 3,200 of which are from Washington state.

Entirely web-based, the toolkit includes downloadable materials and multi-media presentations, as well as 47 documentary-quality videos filmed in Washington state middle schools. The toolkit captures how highly effective leadership teams operate and what outstanding instruction looks like. Already, four independent studies have pointed to the valuable contributions made to instructional quality by Success at the Core's well-researched and award-winning content.

Success at the Core Fellows represent educators who have used and adapted these resources. Fellows will build awareness and use of Success at the Core more broadly across Washington state and in and beyond the Pacific Northwest. Each Fellow – who will be compensated as part of the program – will engage online communities, work with Pacific Northwest and national education partners, and aid in research efforts aimed at measuring the program's impact on instruction and leadership.

"We were impressed by the diversity of ways that applicants utilized Success at the Core resources to advance their school improvement agendas," said Bonnie Benjamin-Phariss, director of Vulcan Productions. "The Fellows we selected demonstrate unique qualifications and skills that allow them to address the role of professional development in shaping student achievement."

The ten Fellows will be honored at an event in late June.

For additional information on Success at the Core, visit http://www.successatthecore.com, and join the Success at the Core community on Facebook and Twitter.

About Success at the Core
Success at the Core is an independently evaluated, web-based professional development toolkit for school leadership teams and teachers that captures how highly effective leadership teams operate and what outstanding instruction looks like. Success at the Core features seven modules for leadership teams and 24 practical strategies for classroom teachers, materials that help teachers and leadership teams work together to drive school-wide instructional improvement. Success at the Core is a collaboration between Education Development Center, a global nonprofit organization that addresses some of the world's most urgent challenges in education, health and economic development, and Vulcan Productions, Paul G. Allen's award-winning film company. Visit www.successatthecore.com to learn more.

SOURCE Success at the Core

Restaurants to Add 450,000 Summer Jobs, According to National Restaurant Association Projections

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:48:55 +0000

Restaurants to Add 450,000 Summer Jobs, According to National Restaurant Association Projections

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Restaurants are expected to add 450,000 jobs this summer season, a 4.6 percent increase over the March 2012 employment level, according to National Restaurant Association projections released today. This year shows the highest summer employment numbers since 1993.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/DC13581-INFO )

"Restaurant industry employment growth will outpace overall employment growth for the 13th year in a row this year, illustrating the key role restaurants play in the nation's economy," said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the research and knowledge group for the Association. "The boost of this year's 450,000 summer jobs will propel total eating and drinking place employment to its highest on record. Overall, America's nearly one million restaurants employ nearly 10 percent of the nation's overall workforce."

America's restaurants are the nation's second largest private sector employer with nearly 13 million employees, a number projected to grow by 1.4 million positions in the next decade.

The states projected to add the most eating and drinking place jobs during the 2012 summer season are New York (43,800), California (32,900), Massachusetts (28,800), Texas (24,600), New Jersey (22,900), Michigan (20,100), Ohio (19,900) and Illinois (19,400).

The states projected to register the largest proportional employment increase during the 2012 summer season are Maine (31.7 percent increase), Alaska (23.8 percent increase) and Delaware (20.0 percent increase).

Eating and drinking places added 444,100 jobs during the 2011 summer season, 427,100 jobs during the 2010 summer season, and 391,300 jobs during the 2009 summer season. The restaurant industry is usually the nation's second-largest creator of summer jobs, behind the construction industry.

Complete state-by-state 2012 projections, plus a national 10-year review, of restaurant summer employment can be found on the Association's website.

Summer employment is defined as the average number of eating and drinking place jobs in June, July and August. The number of summer jobs is the difference between the projected total 2012 summer employment and the March 2012 employment level. Generally, the U.S. restaurant industry begins to ramp up its summer seasonal hiring in April, and it peaks in June, July and August. Eating and drinking places account for approximately three-fourths of the total restaurant and foodservice workforce.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 970,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of nearly 13 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We operate the industry's largest trade show (NRA Show May 18-21, 2013, in Chicago); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF's ProStart, including the National ProStart Invitational April 19-21, 2013, in Baltimore, Md.); as well as the Kids LiveWell program promoting healthful kids' menu options. For more information, visit www.restaurant.org and find us on Twitter @WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube.

SOURCE National Restaurant Association

Sundance Institute Elects Three New Trustees

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Sundance Institute Elects Three New Trustees

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Sean Bailey | Anand Mahindra | Jacki Zehner

Sundance Institute today announced three new members of the Institute's Board of Trustees: Sean Bailey, Anand Mahindra and Jacki Zehner.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/533518 )

Under the guidance of President & Founder Robert Redford and in close collaboration with Executive Director Keri Putnam, the 23-person Board is responsible for the governance of Sundance Institute and works to actively advance creative and financial support for artists developing original stories for the screen and stage. Wally Weisman continues as Chairman of the Board.

Said Weisman: "We welcome these new members of our Board. We are proud of the organization's standing as an internationally recognized nonprofit arts organization, and we are extremely optimistic about the stability of the Institute and its recent growth to include several new initiatives that are connecting artists with audiences around the world."

Putnam said, "Sundance Institute is honored to expand our Board with the addition of these new Trustees, whose vision, creativity and expertise offer us the innovative leadership needed to continue to evolve and develop as a cultural organization."

In addition to those announced today, Trustees that have recently joined the Board are Sheila C. Johnson, James R. Swartz and Stanley Tucci, as well as Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lynn Nottage and Heather Rae as Artist Trustees. Artist Trustees are participants from Institute programs, including the Sundance Film Festival, artistic Labs and direct granting, who share with the Board their perspectives and act as liaisons to other Institute alumni.

The other business, cultural and philanthropic leaders on the Institute's Board are: Robert Redford, President & Founder; Wally Weisman, Chairman of the Board; Pat Mitchell, Vice Chairman; Jeanne Donovan Fisher, Secretary; Jack Ferraro, Treasurer; Kenneth Cole; Robert J. Frankenberg; George Gund; Mellody Hobson; Cindy Harrell Horn; Christine Lahti; Lyn Davis Lear; Geoffrey K. Sands; and John E. Warnock. In addition, Emeritus Trustees are: Glenn Close; Jake Eberts; Sally Field; Steven Haft; Thomas E. Rothman; and George White.

NEW TRUSTEES

Sean Bailey is President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production and oversees all aspects of live-action development, film production and physical production for Walt Disney Pictures. A 20-year industry veteran, Bailey has created, packaged and developed film, television and new media concepts for Walt Disney Pictures, Miramax, 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks, New Line Cinema, Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., all major television networks, MSN

and Yahoo. His feature film producing credits include Disney's TRON: Legacy; Miramax's Gone, Baby, Gone, directed by Ben Affleck and starring Casey Affleck, Ed Harris, Morgan Freeman and Amy Ryan; Matchstick Men, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Nicolas Cage; The Core; and Best Laid Plans. His screenplay Solace, co-written by Ted Griffin, is in preproduction at New Line Cinema.

Anand Mahindra is the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group, one of India's largest, diversified corporations. Named one of the top 25 most powerful business people in Asia by Fortune magazine, he serves on the Board of Dean's Advisors at the Harvard Business School, the India Council for Sustainable Development, the Asia Business Council, and the Global Board of Advisors of the Council on Foreign Relations. He has also served as the President of the Confederation of Indian Industry and on the Board of the National Stock Exchange of India. As an Undergraduate at Harvard, he majored in Filmmaking, and his continued commitment to the Arts was in evidence last year when he made the largest ever gift to the Humanities at Harvard University. The Mahindra Group's media company, Mumbai Mantra, collaborated with Sundance Institute to organize the first-ever Screenwriters Lab in India. Anand is co-founder of Naandi Danone, a Life Trustee on the Board of Naandi Foundation and a Trustee of the K.C. Mahindra Education Trust. He received the 2005 Leadership Award from the American India Foundation for his commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

Jacki Zehner was the youngest woman and first female trader to be invited into the partnership of Goldman Sachs. Since leaving Goldman in 2002 she has become an impassioned philanthropist committed to the advancement of women and girls. She currently serves as CEO of Women Moving Millions, whose goal is to mobilize unprecedented resources for women and girls. Jacki is also President of The Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation and former board member of The Women's Funding Network, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Center for Talent Innovation, The National Council for Research on Women and The University of British Columbia. She serves as an advisor for many other for-profit and non-profit organizations that are working to advance gender equality including The Geena Davis Institute for Gender in Media, the Pax Global Women's Equality Fund and Women Effect Investments. She is a frequent media commentator, consultant and speaker on women's success in the workplace, women and wealth, investing, financial current events and high-impact philanthropy. Jacki lives in Park City, Utah with her husband Greg and two children.

Sundance Institute

Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, I Am My Own Wife, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America.

Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Casey De La Rosa
+1-310-360-1981
casey_delarosa@sundance.org
Sunil Gate, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Tel: +91-9823093000

gate.sunil@mahindra.com

Sundance Institute Elects Three New Trustees

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:37:00 +0000

Sundance Institute Elects Three New Trustees

PR Newswire

LOS ANGELES, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Sean Bailey | Anand Mahindra | Jacki Zehner

Sundance Institute today announced three new members of the Institute's Board of Trustees: Sean Bailey, Anand Mahindra and Jacki Zehner.

NEW TRUSTEES

Sundance Institute

Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Casey De La Rosa
+1-310-360-1981
casey_delarosa@sundance.org
Sunil Gate, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Tel: +91-9823093000

gate.sunil@mahindra.com

SOURCE Mahindra & Mahindra Limited

US Labor Department announces availability of $35 million in grants to implement or improve Self-Employment Assistance programs

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:22:06 +0000

US Labor Department announces availability of $35 million in grants to implement or improve Self-Employment Assistance programs

PR Newswire

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $35 million in funds to develop, enhance and promote Self-Employment Assistance programs in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition, guidance released today clarifies that states may enroll participants who are currently receiving or eligible for federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits.

This announcement is the latest in a series of innovative reforms to the Unemployment Insurance program made possible through the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, which was signed by President Obama in February.

"Self-Employment Assistance has proven to be a valuable tool in helping many unemployed Americans realize the dream of business ownership," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These grants will help states improve and expand the program while strengthening the economy and creating new jobs as more startups launch and grow."

Participants in these voluntary programs are provided with financial assistance equal to their Unemployment Insurance benefits while they receive important entrepreneurial training and resources to help launch their own businesses. In order to allow participants to devote full-time attention to creating new businesses that have the potential to create additional jobs, state work search requirements are waived.

Grant money can be used by states to implement a new Self-Employment Assistance program or improve the administration of current programs, as well as to promote programs and enroll eligible participants. In order to receive federal funding, states' UI laws must meet the Labor Department's requirements. Five states (Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, New York and Oregon) have active Self-Employment Assistance programs and are eligible now to apply for these grant funds. The other states have until June 30, 2013, to submit complete applications to the department.

The Labor Department will work with interested states to assist them in developing legislation as needed, and to implement Self-Employment Assistance programs. The department also will work with states on outreach strategies to identify potential entrepreneurs who are good candidates to start their own businesses. Additionally, the department is partnering with the Small Business Administration to provide technical assistance to states and to ensure that SBA resources are leveraged as states design Self-Employment Assistance programs.

For more information about Self-Employment Assistance, read the Unemployment Insurance program letter at http://s.dol.gov/S5.

Editor's note: A breakdown of the grant funds available follows this news release.

Available Self-Employment Assistance Grants			Purpose
State	Agency	Total Available	Establishment or Improved Administration	Promotion and Enrollment
Alabama	Alabama Department of Industrial Relations	$479,840	$411,291	$68,549
Alaska	Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development	$69,071	$59,204	$9,867
Arizona	Arizona Department of Economic Security	$711,300	$609,686	$101,614
Arkansas	Arkansas Department of Workforce Services	$276,319	$236,845	$39,474
California	California Employment Development Department	$5,388,572	$4,618,776	$769,796
Colorado	Colorado Department of Labor and Employment	$562,343	$482,008	$80,335
Connecticut	Connecticut Department of Labor	$415,008	$355,721	$59,287
Delaware	Delaware Department of Labor	$80,608	$69,093	$11,515
District of Columbia	District of Columbia, Department of Employment Services	$89,317	$76,557	$12,760
Florida	Florida Department of Economic Opportunity	$2,400,953	$2,057,960	$342,993
Georgia	Georgia Department of Labor	$1,156,906	$991,634	$165,272
Hawaii	Hawaii State Unemployment Insurance	$111,120	$95,246	$15,874
Idaho	Idaho Department of Labor	$167,546	$143,611	$23,935
Illinois	Illinois Department of Employment Security	$1,615,519	$1,384,731	$230,788
Indiana	Indiana Department of Workforce Development	$720,577	$617,637	$102,940
Iowa	Iowa Workforce Development	$242,970	$208,260	$34,710
Kansas	Kansas Department of Labor	$249,408	$213,778	$35,630
Kentucky	Kentucky Office of Employment & Training	$488,417	$418,643	$69,774
Louisiana	Louisiana Workforce Commission	$376,976	$323,122	$53,854
Maine	Maine Department of Labor	$132,233	$113,343	$18,890
Maryland	Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation	$541,360	$464,023	$77,337
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development	$632,631	$542,255	$90,376
Michigan	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs	$1,178,691	$1,010,307	$168,384
Minnesota	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development	$471,045	$403,753	$67,292
Mississippi	Mississippi Department of Employment Security	$356,732	$305,770	$50,962
Missouri	Missouri Department of Labor & Industrial Relations	$638,248	$547,070	$91,178
Montana	Montana Department of Labor & Industry	$85,942	$73,665	$12,277
Nebraska	Nebraska Department of Labor	$111,006	$95,148	$15,858
Nevada	Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation	$465,817	$399,272	$66,545
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Employment Security	$100,300	$85,971	$14,329
New Jersey	New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development	$1,070,511	$917,581	$152,930
New Mexico	New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions	$173,222	$148,476	$24,746
New York	New York State Department of Labor	$1,978,999	$1,696,285	$282,714
North Carolina	North Carolina Department of Commerce	$1,228,623	$1,053,105	$175,518
North Dakota	Job Service North Dakota	$33,347	$28,583	$4,764
Ohio	Ohio Department of Job and Family Services	$1,238,931	$1,061,941	$176,990
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Employment Security Commission	$274,350	$235,157	$39,193
Oregon	Oregon Employment Department	$468,830	$401,854	$66,976
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry	$1,273,656	$1,091,705	$181,951
Puerto Rico	Puerto Rico Labor Department Administration	$504,523	$432,448	$72,075
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training	$159,734	$136,915	$22,819
South Carolina	South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce	$548,432	$470,085	$78,347
South Dakota	South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation	$51,445	$44,096	$7,349
Tennessee	Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development	$709,202	$607,887	$101,315
Texas	Texas Workforce Commission	$2,457,874	$2,106,749	$351,125
Utah	Utah Department of Workforce Services	$218,841	$187,578	$31,263
Vermont	Vermont Department of Labor	$49,329	$42,282	$7,047
Virginia	Virginia Employment Commission	$671,010	$575,151	$95,859
Virgin Islands	U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Labor	$9,718	$8,330	$1,388
Washington	Washington Employment Security Department	$791,014	$678,012	$113,002
West Virginia	WorkForce West Virginia	$157,955	$135,390	$22,565
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development	$568,929	$487,653	$81,276
Wyoming	Wyoming Department of Workforce Services	$44,750	$38,357	$6,393
Totals		$35,000,000	$30,000,000	$5,000,000

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.

Connect with DOL at
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SOURCE U.S. Department of Labor

Neopost USA Names Claritus Incorporated the National Dealer of the Year

Thu, 24 May 2012 16:45:46 +0000

Neopost USA Names Claritus Incorporated the National Dealer of the Year

Two Time Award Winner Bases Success on Customer Service

PR Newswire

MILFORD, Conn., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Neopost USA (www.neopostinc.com), an innovative solutions provider in the postal and related communications industry, named Claritus Incorporated (www.claritus.com) its 2011 National Dealer of the Year. More than 120 independent dealers nationwide compete for the award, which is judged on a number of criteria, including overall growth and performance. This is the second time in three years that Claritus has been awarded Neopost's National Dealer of the Year.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120524/LA13488)

Claritus was founded in 1982 and began as a small office of four people operating out of Sioux Falls, S.D. Now, headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., they have become a leader in the mailing and electronic document distribution industry with four locations throughout Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. Claritus attributes their success to the ability to answer customers' needs with clear business solutions and partner with them to provide unparalleled customer service and care.

"Our formula for success is about integrity and building relationships, both internally and externally," said Claritus President Dave Herbert. "This award is definitely a team effort, and it does not happen without every employee being committed to this company. We provide a work environment that you can be proud of and our internal philosophies manifest themselves externally. As we continue to grow and become more successful, we always feel obligated to give back to the community. We listen to our customers and when they call our offices, they will always hear a live voice."

"Claritus has done a terrific job this past year increasing their market share in the region. They've clearly established themselves as a leader in Neopost technology solutions," said Kevin Flood, Vice President of Dealer Sales for Neopost USA.

For more information on Claritus, visit www.claritus.com

About Neopost USA
Neopost USA partners with its customers to help them achieve higher levels of efficiency, control and value in their mailing operations. Neopost USA is known for its broad line of mailing and shipping systems and mail support equipment, such as mailing machines, postage meters, folder/inserters, address printers, tabbers, mail sorting and tracking systems and mail center management tools. Its equipment and systems are supported by a combination of direct sales and a network of independent dealers providing sales, supplies and service to their customers. For more information on Neopost USA, visit www.neopostinc.com.

About Claritus Incorporated
Claritus provides Clear, Concise, Innovative, Thinking (Clarity) to its Customers who it also considers to be friends and colleagues (Us). For over 30 years, Claritus has been providing customer focused mailing and document distribution solutions to area businesses and organizations. For more information on Claritus, visit www.claritus.com

Neopost Contact
Claudine Elliot
Neopost USA
203.301.3657
c.elliot@neopost.com

Media Contact
Brent Diggins
Allison+Partners
623-201-5554
Neopost@allisonpr.com

Claritus Contact
Dave Herbert
402.421.2323
daveh@claritus.com

SOURCE Neopost USA

US Airways Named Top Employer For Veterans In 2012

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:58:38 +0000

US Airways Named Top Employer For Veterans In 2012

Only Airline Named in Top 40 Rankings

US Airways Flying WWII Heroes to Washington, DC for Memorial Day Weekend Visit

PR Newswire

TEMPE, Ariz., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Military Times Edge magazine has named US Airways (NYSE: LCC) among the 40 Best for Vets employers for 2012 among 1,000 major corporations surveyed. For the second year in a row, the magazine recognized US Airways for its policies and programs to recruit and retain military veterans and to accommodate and support deployments by US Airways employees who serve in the National Guard and on reserve duty.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120103/LA28814LOGO)

US Airways is the only airline named in the top 40 in the survey and the "Best for Vets" award is presented to companies who excel in three categories; Recruiting, with a budget and staff dedicated to military hiring, venues where jobs are marketed to veterans, and percentage of new hires who are military veterans; Reserve Policies, which offer pay and benefits for National Guard and Reservists to accommodate and support deployments, and Corporate Culture, where veterans are represented on the executive team.

"US Airways is honored and proud to be named a 'Best for Vets' employer in 2011 and 2012," said David Seymour, US Airways' senior vice president of technical operations. Seymour, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and a veteran Infantry Officer in the U.S. Army, advises a US Airways employee group called ServeUS. ServeUS works to foster a culture at the airline to recruit, transition, develop and retain military veterans. ServeUS members represent US Airways at veteran recruitment events nationwide.

Seymour said, "US Airways believes that our outreach to military veterans advances our goals of becoming an airline our customers choose to fly and a great place to work for all employees. We are pleased that the Military Times Edge publication and the military and veteran community have recognized US Airways as an employer of choice for our nation's veterans."

US Airways partners with Hire Heroes USA, an organization that creates job opportunities for veterans, to recruit military veterans at job fairs nationwide. In addition, the airline works with Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to bringing veterans free of charge to Washington, D.C. to visit their respective war memorials dedicated in their honor. Last year, US Airways conducted its 200th Honor Flight. Video is available on US Airways' YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usairways. On Saturday, May 26, 2012 US Airways will fly a group of World War II veterans from Hartford, CT to Washington, DC to visit the World War II memorial. More information is available at http://honorflightdca.wordpress.com/.

The airline also supports active duty military members by giving them priority boarding on all US Airways flights and discount fares when traveling on official business. Additionally, US Airways' partnership with the Fisher House Foundation allows members of the airline's frequent flyer program, Dividend Miles, to donate miles to provide complimentary travel to military men and women, and their families, who are undergoing medical treatment.

About US Airways

US Airways, along with US Airways Shuttle and US Airways Express, operates more than 3,200 flights per day and serves more than 200 communities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, Central and South America. The airline employs more than 32,000 aviation professionals worldwide, operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus aircraft and is a member of the Star Alliance network, which offers its customers more than 20,500 daily flights to 1,293 airports in 190 countries. Together with its US Airways Express partners, the airline serves approximately 80 million passengers each year and operates hubs in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Phoenix, and a focus city in Washington, D.C. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Aviation Week and Overhaul & Maintenance magazine presented US Airways with the 2012 Aviation Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the Year Award for demonstrating outstanding achievement and innovation in the area of technical operations. Military Times Edge magazine named US Airways as a Best for Vets employer in 2011 and 2012. US Airways was the only airline included as one of the 50 best companies to work for in the U.S. by LATINA Style magazine's 50 Report for 2010 and 2011. The airline also earned a 100 percent rating on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality index for six consecutive years. The Corporate Equality index is a leading indicator of companies' attitudes and policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees and customers. For more company information visit usairways.com, follow on Twitter @USAirways or at Facebook.com/USAirways. (LCCG)

-Fly with US-

SOURCE US Airways

BMC Nurses Outraged at Hospital's Handling of Pending Layoff

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

BMC Nurses Outraged at Hospital's Handling of Pending Layoff

PR Newswire

After Nurses Agree to Contract Extension with No Pay Increase The Hospital Refuses to Provide Early Retirement Incentives and Training Program to Lessen the Impact of the Layoff on Younger Nurses

BOSTON, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As nurses prepare for yet another round of layoffs at Boston Medical Center with the MNA union bumping process scheduled for May 31, the nurses at the hospital are outraged by BMC management's refusal to heed the nurses requests for implementation of an early retirement incentive plan and operating room training program, which would lessen the impact of the layoff, particularly on younger nurses who stand to lose their jobs.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20060525/NETH016LOGO )

Next week, BMC will begin the layoff process with the closing of 18 beds and the elimination of 8.2 full time equivalent registered nursing positions on the East Newton Campus. BMC is also closing its rehabilitation unit, resulting in the loss of 31 full-time equivalent positions and another 12 positions on the Menino Campus. This is the fourth layoff at BMC in the last three years.

Nurses on the East Newton campus, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), have been attempting to convince hospital management to work with the union on a more reasonable and prudent process for implementing the reductions; a process that would open positions and establish a training program to lessen the impact of the bumping process so that fewer younger nurses are impacted, thus preserving the future of the BMC nursing workforce.

Last week a delegation of nurses presented petitions signed by more than 200 nurses, more than half the bargaining unit, urging management to work with the MNA to develop an early retirement incentive program to allow more senior nurses to voluntarily leave the facility to create more openings for nurses being bumped.

The MNA, in recognition of the hospital's financial position, has further cooperated with the hospital by agreeing last week to extend their union contract for another year with no salary increase. Yet, in the wake of these good faith efforts hospital management informed the nurses' union leadership that they have no intention of accepting any of their proposals and will proceed with their reductions as planned.

"We are appalled that the hospital is taking such a hard line and such a shortsighted position on this latest round of layoffs, especially when we have agreed yet again, to make sacrifices to our own financial well being to help this hospital survive," said Lisa Sawtelle, RN, chair of the nurses local bargaining unit at BMC. "They are taking this hard line after hiring a number of managers and administrators, and while paying who knows how many millions of dollars to consultants. What they fail to realize is that it is the nurses and other direct care staff that make the most difference in this hospital's ultimate success and that we are the key, particularly the development of our younger nursing staff, to BMC's future success."

Among its proposals, the union has offered to work with the hospital in creating an innovative training program for nurses who want to learn how to work in the operating room, with the MNA providing clinical training and expertise to the project. Operating room nursing is a specialty area dominated by an aging workforce and there has long been a shortage of qualified operating room nurses throughout the health care system. The availability of a training program would allow younger nurses the option of taking positions in the operating room, while also building a valuable resource for BMC's future success, as surgical services are among the most profitable services offered by any hospital.

The latest snub of nurses by BMC management will only further deteriorate the staff's trust and faith in the hospital administration, which has a long history of disrespect and punitive treatment of its nursing staff. Two years ago the nurses took an overwhelming vote of no confidence in the Director of Nursing, Lisa O'Connor, an unprecedented demonstration of frustration by a nursing staff. The hospital responded by retaining O'Connor at a higher salary.

"Our main concern has always been to be the best nurses we can be to further the goals of this medical center, Sawtelle explained. "We can't understand why management is showing so little respect for those who are the true backbone of this institution. In the end, it is the patients who suffer under these conditions."

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest professional health care organization and the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public. The MNA is also a founding member of National Nurses United, the largest national nurses union in the United States with more than 170,000 members from coast to coast.

SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association

Enterprise Ventures Corporation Awarded $12.5 Million Contract to Build U.S. Navy Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS) for MH-60S Helicopter

Thu, 24 May 2012 14:26:08 +0000

Enterprise Ventures Corporation Awarded $12.5 Million Contract to Build U.S. Navy Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS) for MH-60S Helicopter

CSTRS Designed to Improve U.S. Military's Ability to Respond to Mine Threats

PR Newswire

JOHNSTOWN, Pa., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprise Ventures Corporation (EVC) has been awarded a $12.5 million contract from Naval Surface Warfare Center - Panama City Division (NSWC-PCD). Under this contract, EVC will build the U.S. Navy Carriage, Stream, Tow, and Recovery System (CSTRS) for the MH-60S helicopter. The CSTRS provides the multi-mission MH-60S helicopter with the widest, largest minesweeping capability by making Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures Systems deployable from fleet assets in dangerous waters. This contract includes an option, which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $31,969,022.

EVC is a wholly owned affiliate of Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC). According to Edward J. Sheehan, Jr., CTC's President and Chief Executive Officer, "This project is important to U.S. warfighters. CSTRS will enable the U.S. Navy's new littoral combat ships to readily respond to mine threats, providing an extra measure of safety for crew and ships. In addition, the CSTRS design is modular and is capable of supporting the deployment requirement of multiple mine sensors that provide a range of mine countermeasures objectives."

Sheehan says, "This is the culmination of 12 years of design and development work by CTC. As CTC's for-profit affiliate, EVC is able to take the CSTRS project to production. We anticipate adding about 10 jobs over the course of the contract."

Twelve years ago, CTC conducted its first feasibility study for the CSTRS project. "Starting with a clean sheet of paper, CTC developed and tested a flight-capable proof-of-concept system in just 18 months. CTC successfully met all U.S. Navy performance criteria, which led to subsequent contract awards as we moved from design to rigorous testing," says David A. Schario, President of EVC and CTC's Vice President, Physical Sciences and Engineering.

"The CSTRS contract is clearly a milestone for EVC. We are excited to have the opportunity to produce innovative technologies designed by CTC," Schario says.

Ed Peretin is CTC's CSTRS program director. After six years running the program, he will transition to EVC along with the CSTRS production efforts.

"Work will begin within a week," Peretin says. "We will procure materials and then commence production in about four months. EVC will employ both skilled labor and professional staff to support the manufacturing process."

Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) is an independent, nonprofit, applied scientific research and development professional services organization providing innovative management and technology-based solutions to government and industry. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, CTC's primary purpose and programs are to undertake applied scientific research and development activities that serve the public interest. For more information, visit www.ctc.com.

Enterprise Ventures Corporation (EVC) is a wholly owned affiliate of CTC. The mission of EVC is to transfer advanced technologies designed and created by CTC and others to the industrial base and to deliver high-quality products and services to its clients. For more information, visit www.evc.ctc.com.

SOURCE Concurrent Technologies Corporation